Bob Minkler Dies: Oscar-Winning ‘Star Wars’ Sound Mixer Was 78

Robert Alan “Bob” Minkler, a sound mixer who won an Academy Award for his work on Star Wars and worked on several other popular films, has died. He was 78. His family said he died October 11 of respiratory failure October 11 in his Oregon home.

Born in Glendale, CA, in 1937, Minkler was a musician and vocalist by trade for many years, touring at one point with Nat King Cole. He began his 20-year career in the film business in the 1960s, starting out working alongside his brothers. In addition to Star Wars, Minkler worked on The Black Stallion, Easy Rider, Bull Durham, Mask, Urban Cowboy, Rocky II and Hair. He earned a second Oscar nomination for his work on Tron. Minkler eventually left the business and moved to Hawaii to raise his children.

He is survived by his wife Patty, who was with him when he died; sons Marcus, Daniel and Christian; and grandchildren Michael, Mia, Jacob, Matthew, Kyle and Brooke. The family will hold a private service for him in Hawaii.